[allstar]

I'm new to this business and just have a few customers but pretty soon I plan to buy a new blower with more power.I was walking through Lowe's the other day and they had these 205 mph blowers(hand-held) on display for $129.I don't recall the brand.I'm sure most of you guys have backpack blowers but why?Right now I'm just doing basic maintenance and my little cheapo blower works just fine but's it's pretty old and just about shot.Should I go ahead and invest in a nice backpack blower or just get a nicer hand-held one?Thanks in advance. Jim

 

[Rick Jones]

Are you going to be using it to blow leaves? If so, get a backpack. The handhelds are nice for blowing dry grass clippings off of a driveway, but they simply lack the power for any heavier jobs. Not to mention a backpack will be more comfortable to operate for an extended period of time.

 

[Tvov]

Our backpack blowers are the most used pieces of equipment we have. We always take at least one to every job.

The difference between a "hand-held" and a backpack is huge. If you are just blowing off walks and driveways after mowing, the hand-held might be fine. Anything else, get a backpack. This is one of those instances where you will eventually say; "Man, I can't believe I used a hand-held blower for so long before getting a backpack!".

 

[work_it]

Rick is right about comfort. I have a backpack and a handheld. The handheld is great on small jobs since it can easily get into tight areas, but arm goes numb/or elbow starts to hurt if I try to use it more than 10-15 min. Search ebay. I have found some great buys on Redmax, Stihl, Ecoh, and Husky backpack blowers.

 

[GLAN]

If only a few lawns. Then don't spend the $400+ for a top of the line back pack.

I am sure you're doing just fine with the hand held..

 

[Bluesteel]

I don’t know how many customers it takes to justify a commercial duty blower, or how many acconts you have. But they do save a lot of time compared to any hand-held blower.

Don’t pay attention to the air speed. A 1/16” aperture on an air gun attached to a ¼” air-hose can shoot out air at 400+ miles per hour at the nozzle. But the volume of air is so low, it would be useless for working grass and leaves. That’s an extreme example, but what moves debris is the amount of air as well as the speed. Look for a blower that moves 500-600 cubic feet per minute (CFM).

As Glan stated, those can cost you $400-$500 for a new blower. But as work_it pointed out, you can find those things on eBay for half that. They might be used machines, but in a few months (around the end of the year) you can find some great deals if you start looking now. Money much better spent.

 

[mtdman]

My backpack is the coolest and most useful piece of equipment I have. I started with a handheld crapsman, and as I grew, that thing grew more and more useless. Especially when it came to leaves. When we got the backpack, I was so geeked. I love that thing. If you have to, buy a used good brandname, not some cheapo homeowner version from Lowe's or Home Depot.

 

[Turfdude]

We only use handhelds for gutter cleaning and blowing off after fertilizer apps. A backpack blower is faster and more efficient on everything else. Even if you don't have a large mess, you just turn down the rpm's.

 

[Lakeview]

I worked on a golf course and had to use a handheld to blow leaves off the t-boxes a couple of times. Even with the super short grass on the t-boxes it was a complete pain in the butt. Get a backpack blower because you wont be sorry. Get a hand held and you will get a bad case of tennis elbow.
Besides a back pack blower has enough muscle to blow away the lighter powdery type snow. So you may get to use it in the winter.

 

[above all]

Gain get a BAck pack. or you will have or have to have Popeye forarms from the hand held. Lakeview, great idea using the BP blower for light snow. Hit the steps with the blower before being walked on or Clean up when done sloveling. Looking forward to winter after a very hot summer! it was still 101 degrees on Wednesday.

 

[SpudsM15]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2343643442&category=22655

I bought mine on ebay last year...Great deal here

 

[65hoss]

Comm'l grade equipment. Only buy equipment once. It cost you less in the long run.

 

[BSDeality]

Tvov hit the nail on the head. i bought my first BP blower this year and i asked myself the same question. spend the money once on a good commercial model (echo, redmax, shindaiwa) and you'll see a huge increase in your productivity.

I went w/ a Echo 750T, $483 out the door. i'd buy another in a heart beat.

 

[recliner5]

BSDeality, where did you buy your Echo 750T, I can only get dealer to $500.00, Thanks Terp

 

[MacLawnCo]

Originally posted by recliner5
BSDeality, where did you buy your Echo 750T, I can only get dealer to $500.00, Thanks Terp

you wouldnt buy local to save a whoping $17? Hehe. humorus indeed

 

[BSDeality]

got it from my local dealer. he took $20 off for a floor model (that had never been cranked or touched).

 

[Blades of Steel]

Shindaiwa EB-630 currently on sale at all Shidaiwa dealers for $399.00. Killer unit, runs as well as my Echo PB-750

 

[Rustic Goat]

John Deere BP50, works very well & is less than any mentioned above.